The New York Yankees had a strong 2024 season, putting them in position to contend for another World Series title. After overcoming the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Guardians in the American League playoffs, the Yankees came up short in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite holding substantial leads in Game 1 in Los Angeles and Game 5 in Yankee Stadium, they lost both games. The Dodgers went on to defeat the Yankees in five games, with Freddie Freeman delivering a walk-off grand slam in Game 1 and Aaron Judge misplaying a routine fly ball in Game 5, sparking a Dodgers comeback.
That tough World Series defeat is expected to fuel the Yankees’ drive to win the 2025 World Series, according to MLB Network host Robert Flores. “I think the Yankees finally get over the hump this year,” Flores said, offering his early prediction for 2025.
The Yankees came very close to securing their 28th World Series title in 2024, finishing with a 94-68 record and capturing the American League East title. Their playoff run, however, ended just short in the World Series.
During the offseason, the Yankees made key moves to strengthen their roster, acquiring Cody Bellinger in a trade with the Chicago Cubs, signing pitcher Max Fried, and adding slugger Paul Goldschmidt. Despite losing Juan Soto to the New York Mets, manager Aaron Boone may have a more formidable team than in the previous season.
NEW YORK YANKEES
The Yankees’ lineup has the power to outmatch most opponents, while their pitching staff should be strong enough to stifle opposing offenses. Judge, who led MLB with 58 home runs and 144 RBIs, remains the central figure in their lineup, and the team will rely on him to replicate his stellar performance from last season. He will also need support from Bellinger, Goldschmidt, and others like Anthony Volpe and Giancarlo Stanton.
On the pitching side, Gerrit Cole heads the rotation, finishing 2024 with an 8-5 record, a 3.41 ERA, and 99 strikeouts in 95 innings. Carlos Rodon, who posted a 16-9 record and a 3.96 ERA while striking out 195 in 175 innings, also played a key role. The addition of Max Fried, a 30-year-old left-hander who went 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA for the Atlanta Braves last season, should significantly bolster the staff.
Leave a Reply